Hugh Jackman helps Academy of Music turn 156

When you’re as old as the Academy of Music (or its latest renovation project), you’ve probably stopped celebrating or even counting your birthdays.

A jewel of a centenarian at 156 years young, Philadelphia’s prized venue of cultural interests that has been the launching point for countless artists over the years is having another birthday. And there will be a party.

The anniversary of the Academy is being commemorated with a gala fundraising celebration on Saturday, and everyone is invited.

As with all things Academy-esque, the gala event is the epitome of formal (white tie), and includes an open house reception followed by a concert, dinner at the Bellevue and dancing into the wee hours.

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The president and CEO of the Academy, Joanna “Jodie” Lewis, is happy to be a part of it.

“It’s been the cultural scene for the past 157 years in Philadelphia,” said Lewis. “The Academy has touched so many people … it’s an iconic treasure.”

The “grand old lady of Broad Street” is indeed the oldest opera house (a National Historic Landmark) in America and is still going strong, thanks to the generosity of its patrons and loyal artists.

The gala evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served at the President’s Open House Reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m., just prior to the anniversary concert featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Joining the orchestra will be a special performance by guest artist Hugh Jackman, fresh from a promotional tour for his recent film, “Les Misérables.”

Each year has seen many a film or musical star take the stage alongside the conductor, beginning back in the days of Danny Kaye, Marian Anderson and Dinah Shore, who all joined conductor Eugene Ormandy. In later days, stars like Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Renee Fleming and Sting have graced the stage.

“For our 156th anniversary, we decided to do something different,” said Lewis.

Not wishing to divulge the surprise of what Jackman might be doing onstage, we will no doubt be getting up close and personal with the chance of seeing him as we’ve never seen him before. At the very least, he’ll be singing, but there’s definitely more.

“He’s an incredibly talented performer. We’ll be tapping into all of his abilities,” she said of the versatile A-List, triple-threat star.

Following the concert, the dinner and ball will commence at 9:30 p.m. across the street at the Bellevue, where guests will be treated to one of six possible seating areas: Grand Ballroom, featuring the Eddie Bruce Orchestra; Fountain Court, featuring Harper Blynn; Red & Clover Room, featuring Chico’s Vibe; State Drawing Room, featuring Orlando and Patricia from Minas; XIX Restaurant, featuring Heath Allen and Philly Musette; and the Rose Garden, featuring the Ward Marston Dance Orchestra.

“This is one of the region’s best and most successful fundraisers,” said Lewis of the 56-year-old tradition.

Amid its vibrant list of cultural offerings, the institution has long been host to not only opera, ballet and orchestral features, but it has been the venue for graduation ceremonies and lectures and, at one time, it was even a football field as well as the Republican National Convention.

“If these walls could talk,” she said. “They would have a very long story to tell.”

Indeed, the “grand old lady of Broad Street” may be geriatric, but her stories are far from over.